Write Club Podcast

In this episode of the Write Club Podcast, we are joined by New York Times and international bestselling author Anne Liang!Anne takes us behind the scenes of her highly anticipated novel, To Dream in Darkness, a doomed romance between the god of death and the god of healing rooted in Chinese mythology and set against the backdrop of the Ming Dynasty.In this episode, we chat about:* Mythology & On-Site Research: How Anne’s travels to historical sites in China and her cross-cultural background shaped her rich world-building.* Switching Writing Genres: The challenges, freedom, and joys of transitioning from YA contemporary to adult historical fantasy.* Navigating Industry Success: How media attention and sudden bestseller status impact the creative process, and how Anne keeps her focus on the page. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writersonline.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of the Write Club Podcast, we’re joined by Nathan Dylan Goodwin, bestselling British historical and genealogical crime novelist and creator of the acclaimed Morton Farrier series!Nathan takes us behind the scenes of his unique creative process, sharing how a childhood passion for genealogy at age 12 evolved from writing local history books into building a wildly successful fiction career.We chat about…* His research process: How Nathan spends 2–3 months digging through real historical archives and genealogical records before writing a single word.* Drafting & beta readers: Moving from a 6–10 month drafting cycle to leveraging early readers to refine the manuscript.* Targeted Self-Publishing: His Amazon KDP strategy and why marketing to specific genealogical societies and niche organisations beats chasing vague mass-market appeal.and much more!🎧 Listen now and don’t forget to subscribe to Write Club on your favorite podcast platform!Purchase The Hop-Picker Murders by Nathan Dylan Goodwin today. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writersonline.substack.com/subscribe

How do you keep readers laughing on one page and on the brink of tears the next - for nearly three decades?In this heartwarming and insightful episode of The Write Club Podcast, our hosts chat with iconic British author Mike Gayle, whose smash-hit debut My Legendary Girlfriend launched a full-time fiction career back in 1997.Mike gives listeners an exclusive preview of his upcoming family drama, On We Go, breaking down how he builds relatable, beautifully dysfunctional characters and hits the perfect balance between humour and emotional depth. He reflects on how the publishing landscape and his writing process have evolved over 30 years, shares his top advice for debut novelists aiming for an authentic human voice, and finally solves the mystery behind his two garden sheds!On We Go is a hilarious and heartwarming new family drama from Sunday Times bestseller Mike Gayle. Get your copy today. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writersonline.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of the Write Club Podcast, we are joined by Heather Morris - the globally renowned, #1 bestselling author of The Tattooist of Auschwitz - to discuss her gripping new novel, The Piano Teacher of Montparnasse.Heather shares the incredible real-life origin of her latest story, inspired by composer Cara Talvi, whose grandmother’s life was saved during the Holocaust by a courageous piano teacher in the French Resistance. She takes us behind the scenes of her meticulous historical research process, from interviewing surviving family members to walking key locations in Paris to bring the past vividly to life.Whether you’re a fan of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, a writer of historical fiction, or simply curious about the daily habits of an international bestselling author, this conversation is packed with invaluable wisdom! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writersonline.substack.com/subscribe

Who’d have thought that your best first draft might not be written at a desk, but spoken aloud while walking your dog?In this inspiring episode of The Write Club Podcast, our hosts chat with Marcia Hutchinson, author of the 2026 Women’s Prize for Fiction shortlisted debut, The Mercy Step.Marcia breaks down her original drafting routine - dictating up to 2,000 words per loop in her local park - and opens up about how receiving an ADHD diagnosis transformed her understanding of focus, routine, and creative energy. From her past careers as a solicitor, publisher, political activist, and Zumba instructor to writing five novels over a decade, Marcia shares invaluable insights on building stories using autofiction, leveraging feedback from writing groups, and pushing through the long haul of publication.Purchase The Mercy Step today. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writersonline.substack.com/subscribe

How does geographic distance sharpen an author’s view of home - and how do you capture the authentic cadence of an accent on the page?In this episode of The Write Club Podcast, we are joined by Commonwealth Short Story Prize nominee and award-winning author Dwight Thompson to discuss his second novel, My Own Dear People.Born and raised in Jamaica and currently teaching at an international school in Japan, Dwight offers a deeply insightful look at writing about home from thousands of miles away. He shares how he captures the unique rhythms and voices of Jamaican dialogue, how he cultivated the self-belief needed to pursue a writing career, and whether he leans toward meticulous plotting or intuitive discovery writing.Read his beautiful second novel, My Own Dear People, now. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writersonline.substack.com/subscribe

What happens when you drop a high-stakes murder mystery into the middle of magical medical school final exams?In this episode of the Write Club Podcast, we chat with Hugo Award-nominated author Freya Marske to talk about her upcoming novel, Bodies of Magic (releasing in the UK on September 17th). Freya talks about how her real-world medical background shaped the authentic details, frantic pacing, and pressure-cooker environment of her new story, which follows five randomly assigned students forced to solve a crime in just five days.We spend time exploring the mechanics of story craft, looking at:* Pacing tight timelines: Managing a multi-POV narrative that takes place over just five days.* Balancing subplots: Keeping a fast-paced murder mystery at centre stage while weaving in compelling romance B-plots.* Shaping your story scope: The structural differences between building a sweeping trilogy, crafting a tight novella, and writing a standalone novel.* Career strategy: Why chasing market trends will burn you out, and how focusing on the stories you actually want to tell is the ultimate long-term strategy for authors.Plus, stick around to the end to catch Freya’s top book recommendation.Order Bodies of Magic by Freya Marske today.Enter the First 5K Novel Prize or save 50% on your Writers Online membership at writers-online.co.uk! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writersonline.substack.com/subscribe

Struggling to make your characters feel real—or letting self-doubt freeze your typing fingers?In this powerhouse episode of The Write Club Podcast, our hosts are joined by British author and elite executive coach Robbie Steinhouse to unpack his gripping debut novel, The Process.Drawing from 25 years as a Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) trainer, Robbie spills the secrets on how to use real-world psychological archetypes to build unforgettable characters. He walks us through practical mental hacks - like taking ‘perceptual positions’ - to step directly into your characters’ shoes and write authentic, high-stakes dialogue.Plus, if you’ve ever struggled with the jump from non-fiction to fiction, or found yourself paralysed by an inner critic, Robbie’s masterclass in author mindset and state management will give you the exact tools you need to stay locked in.Buy a copy of The Process today. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writersonline.substack.com/subscribe

How do you transition from writing short stories to publishing a full-length supernatural coming-of-age novel - and how do you define success on your own terms?In this episode of The Write Club Podcast, we had the pleasure of chatting with writer and anthology contributor Damien McKeating to talk about his debut novel, Tallulah Belle, set in the whimsical world of a fantasy burlesque theatre.Damien breaks down how entering short story competitions helped him sharpen his craft, handle feedback, and build confidence as a writer. He also opens up about his decision to self-publish Tallulah Belle, sharing a refreshing perspective on setting personal criteria for success rather than relying on commercial standards.👉 Grab your copy of Tallulah Belle today and discover more from Damien McKeating! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writersonline.substack.com/subscribe

How can staying curious, practising deep reading, and ‘starting with a word’ pull you out of a creative rut and transform your manuscript?In this episode of The Write Club Podcast, we spend 50 minutes with writer, veteran teacher, and retreat leader Marilyn McEntyre to talk about her latest book, Start with a Word.Drawing on decades of teaching literature, medical humanities, and creative writing, Marilyn shares why returning to learning can be a consoling act in hard times, how slow and spoken-word reading enriches our craft, and how to get to know your narrator on a deeper level. Plus, she reveals her go-to writing exercise for pulling yourself out of a slump and discusses the profound connection between writing, spirituality, and healing.👉 Find out more about Marilyn McEntyre's work and grab your copy of Start with a Word! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writersonline.substack.com/subscribe